Former U.S. Rep. David Obey said he would consider running for governor if Republican Gov. Scott Walker is recalled, but he emphasized Wednesday that former Sen. Herb Kohl and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett would make better candidates.

The Democrat told reporters and members of the Journal Sentinel's editorial board that he's been meeting with people across the state and is convinced that Democrats will gather enough signatures, adding "there is so much anger out there."

Obey, 73, said he didn't have a preference between Kohl and Barrett.

Obey said Kohl's business background would be a big plus, as would the belief of many voters that the retiring senator is essentially a nonpartisan candidate.

As for Barrett, "it's hard for me to recall anyone I've met in politics . . . who is as good at working with other people as Tom."

Obey also alluded to his own volatile personality, describing Barrett as having "a sweet disposition that I do not have."

A spokeswoman for Kohl said the senator has no plans to run for governor. A call to Barrett's spokeswoman was not returned.

Obey said he had talked to both men about running for governor, and he said both politely told him to quit "pestering" them.

Walker's spokesman referred calls on the recall to the Republican Party of Wisconsin. In a statement, the party's executive director, Stephan Thompson, said:

"The Democrats clearly have a slim bench that encompasses one washed-up liberal after another. While they continue their search for a candidate good enough for their union bosses, Governor Walker remains focused on putting Wisconsin's economy back on track."

Barrett's attraction as a candidate came under fire Oct. 13 when AFSCME Council 24 President Marty Beil criticized Barrett on a Madison radio station for the way union members are being treated in Barrett's 2012 city budget. He said Barrett isn't being considered as someone AFSCME would support.

"These 'quote unquote' traditional Democrats who want to play the middle road and find some kind of compromise between, you know, the masters of corporations and government and working men and women, that's unacceptable," Beil told John Sylvester on WTDY-AM.

Obey said Wednesday: "All I can say is that if Tom Barrett isn't good enough for labor, then labor has a mighty small circle of friends."

Obey pointed out his three chief objections to Walker:

Walker and Republicans did not campaign on greatly limiting collective bargaining for public workers, but once in office they used their majorities and the budget deficit as an excuse to go after the unions.

A redistricting bill that made some state Senate and congressional districts more Republican by carving away communities that traditionally have voted Democratic.

Passage of a voter ID bill that Obey says will make it harder for many people, especially the elderly, to vote. "In my view, what they have done on the voter ID issue is not only a recallable issue; it ought to be an impeachable issue."

About Lee Bergquist

Lee Bergquist covers environmental issues and is author of "Second Wind: The Rise of the Ageless Athlete."